If you find yourself hiding your smile, covering your mouth while you talk, or if you’re the only person in every family photo that’s frowning, it might be time to make a change. A recent University of California Berkley study revealed that people who smile more are less likely to get divorced or experience depression, and are more likely to get hired or promoted. However, similar studies reveal that those whose smiles are unappealing would do better to hide their smiles as they are perceived as less intelligent and unhealthy. If you’re ready to achieve your full smile confidence and potential, Rocky River cosmetic dentist, Dr. William L. Eick, and his team can help. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry services to correct, conceal, or transform your smile.(more…)

Root canal infection, like many oral health issues is more devastating because these infections are usually preventable. At Dr. William L. Eick’s Rocky River, OH dental practice, we emphasize preventive dentistry to avoid extensive procedures such as root canal therapy. When the alternative is an extracted or severely compromised tooth, root canal therapy is a safe, effective means of preserving dental structure. Most root canal infection occurs due to tooth decay or trauma, and in both cases, there are typically steps that can be taken to avoid the necessity of root canal treatment.(more…)

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Do the words natural, functional, or comfortable come to mind when you hear the word, “dentures?” Probably not. For years, dentures have been perceived as being bulky, making eating and speaking more difficult, and slipping and sliding uncomfortably. Possibly worst of all, dentures were obvious. You knew right away if someone was wearing them. Innovations in dentistry allow your Rocky River, OH dentist, Dr. William Eick, to create custom dental prosthetics to not just replace your teeth, but to restore your smile to its natural beauty. If you’re unhappy with your current dentures or are in need of dentures, call our office to schedule a denture consolation. (more…)

Tooth loss affects millions of Americans and is most often caused by advanced periodontal disease. When you lose a tooth, the entire dynamic of your bite changes, frequently leading to future problems that could have been avoided had the tooth been replaced in a timely manner. At the Rocky River, OH dental office of Dr. William Eick, our team offers a comprehensive range of restorative dentistry solutions for patients with missing teeth, including dental implants.

Do I Really Need to Replace a Lost Tooth?

A common question we hear at the office is, “The tooth I’m missing is way in the back. Why do I need to replace it?” While it is true that a missing front tooth is considered highly unattractive and socially unacceptable, replacing posterior (back) teeth is just as important. A missing tooth anywhere in the mouth can lead to a variety of problems, including:

Diminished chewing ability

Nutritional issues due to difficulty eating

Bone loss in the jaw, resulting in the loss of additional teeth

Remaining teeth begin to tip, rotate, and migrate

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

Decreased facial height over time, causing a sunken appearance

Fortunately, dental implants effectively prevent all of these complications, replacing not only the missing root within the jaw but the crown as well. The implant stimulates the jaw bone, preventing further tissue loss and restoring your smile in a way that looks and feels completely natural. Dr. Eick will work with you to develop a restorative treatment plan that specifically addresses your goals, giving you the strong and healthy new smile you deserve.

Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation

If you are missing one or more teeth and you want to learn more about your restorative dentistry options, please don’t hesitate to contact our office today. Our entire team is committed to helping each of our patients achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles, and we’d love to do the same for you. Conveniently located in Rocky River, OH, Dr. Eick’s office proudly serves patients from communities in Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, and more. Explore the possibilities afforded by dental implants, and see what an incredible difference our advanced technology can make for your smile.

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March 13, 2015

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 43,250 American men and women will be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease this year alone. Of those diagnosed, only about half will still be alive in five years. Due to its aggressive nature, oral cancer is best treated when detected and addressed in its earliest stages before the disease can spread. At the office of Dr. William Eick in Rocky River, OH, we offer a comprehensive range of preventive dentistry services, including oral cancer screening, to help our patients preserve their oral health and overall wellness.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

Unfortunately, oral cancer can become severe before any major symptoms become apparent. This is why oral cancer screening is so important. Dr. Eick is able to recognize the earliest signs of the disease at your routine checkups, giving you the ultimate advantage when it comes to fighting oral cancer.

Aside from oral cancer screening with Dr. Eick, there are some signs you can look out for at home between appointments. These include:

A sore or discoloration that persists for more than 14 days

Numbness or tingling anywhere in the mouth or on the lips

Red or white patch of tissue, often on the floor of the mouth or on the underside of the tongue

Pain or difficulty swallowing

Persistent cough and/or hoarseness

A thickening of tissue anywhere in the mouth or neck

If you notice any of the above symptoms, please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eick. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are our best weapons in the fight against oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Screenings in Rocky River, OH

If it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup and cleaning, there’s never been a better time to call our office and schedule an appointment. Our Rocky River, OH dental office proudly welcomes families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Cleveland, Westlake, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and more. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

Athletes work daily to keep their bodies in peak physical condition, training for tireless hours at the gym and fueling their workouts with sports drinks that promise to enhance their performance. While an active lifestyle will certainly help keep your body in shape, research shows that a strenuous exercise regimen can actually negatively affect oral health in a variety of ways. At the Rocky River, OHdental office of Dr. William Eick, we strive every day to teach our patients how to best preserve the health of their teeth and gums, and today we’d like to offer some helpful advice to athletes, particularly frequent runners.

Running & Oral Health: What’s the Connection?

In a 2014 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, a team of German researchers sought to identify the link between a demanding exercise routine and dental caries, or cavities. It was discovered that athletes, especially those that regularly ran or rode a bike during training, were at an increased risk for tooth erosion. The cause for this is twofold, and it involves both diet and behavior.

First, athletes often consume sports drinks, nutrition bars, gels, and high-carb foods to propel them across the finish line before the competition. Unfortunately, the sugars and carbohydrates our muscles use for energy are exactly what oral bacteria use to thrive in our mouths. In addition, a carb-heavy diet can actively reduce pH levels in the mouth, a problem that had previously been correlated with a higher incidence of cavities.

Secondly, anyone who has ever run for any considerable distance knows that breathing rapidly leads to a dry mouth. When we run or bike, we tend to breathe through our mouths, and saliva production decreases. Without adequate saliva to protect teeth, enamel becomes far more susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria.

How Do Athletes Keep a Healthy Smile?

Next time you’re at the gym, remember to grab a bottle of water before you hit the treadmill or bikes. Drinking water frequently during your workout will not only keep you hydrated, but it can also help keep sugars, starches, and bacteria from taking up residence between the teeth and along the gum line. Observe a stringent home hygiene routine, and don’t forget to visit Dr. Eick at least twice per year for a full checkup and professional cleaning. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment at our Rocky River, OH dental practice, and learn more about preventing cavities and gum disease. We are also happy to serve families from throughout Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Westlake, and beyond.

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It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of women will develop gingivitis at some point during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes that occur while a woman is expecting; estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy, and this is believed to alter the way gum tissues react to the accumulation of plaque. At the Rocky River, OHdental practice of Dr. William Eick, our team can help pregnant women maintain oral health in a way that promotes not only a beautiful smile for Mom, but a healthy delivery for her child.

Pregnancy Gingivitis & Pregnancy Tumors

Pregnant women undergo an untold number of changes during pregnancy, many of which we can’t even see. One of the changes we can see, however, is the way that pregnancy affects oral health. The gums can become tender, and inflammation can take hold. A pregnant woman may even develop small red bumps near the gum line around the time of her second trimester. These are called pregnancy tumors and, while they can cause discomfort, they typically resolve themselves after the baby is born.

Women may notice bleeding gums as early as two months into their pregnancy. If you already have gingivitis or periodontal disease when you become pregnant, an increase in hormones may cause the condition to worsen. This is the reason that Dr. Eick suggests a checkup and cleaning be scheduled before you become pregnant or as soon as possible after you find out. We can help you reduce your risk of pregnancy complications caused by gum disease, including pre-term birth and low birth weight. Our goal is to help you and your precious new arrival stay happy and healthy through personalized oral healthcare.

A Healthier Mouth for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time in any woman’s life. With a comprehensive range of preventive and general dentistry services, we’d like to make it a little easier and more comfortable for you. If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon, please give us a call to schedule your oral healthcare checkup. Dr. Eick and his caring, experienced staff look forward to being a part of your journey toward a healthier smile. Our warm and welcoming Rocky River, OH dental office proudly serves families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Fairview Park, Cleveland, Westlake, Lakewood, and more.

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With preventive dentistry services like routine exams, cleanings, and patient hygiene education, Dr. Eick and dentists all across America help their patients preserve the health and beauty of their natural teeth. When these proactive measures aren’t enough to save those teeth, however, restorative dentistry becomes necessary in order to reestablish oral health, dental function, and aesthetic appeal. One of the ways that we help our Rocky River, OH patients reclaim the form and function of their smiles following tooth loss involves the use of dental implants and implant-retained dentures.

Comprehensive Tooth Replacement Solutions

In the past, men and women suffering from total tooth loss were offered limited options regarding replacement of their dentition. While traditional dentures and partials do offer sufficient bite strength and stability for some patients, many others discover that wearing these removable prosthetics leads to embarrassment, diminished facial contours, considerable discomfort, and difficulty when eating or speaking. With implant-retained dentures, these and other problems associated with removable dentures are no longer a concern. Your lifelike, customized replacement teeth are firmly anchored in place with biocompatible dental implants, each of which is secured within the bone of the jaw for unparalleled stability.

The first step to determining your candidacy for dental implants or implant-retained dentures is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eick for your consultation. Our primary goal during this consultation is to give you the information and counsel you need to make an informed decision regarding your oral health. In addition to performing a thorough exam and providing you with your restorative options, Dr. Eick will happily answer any questions you may have about implants or your proposed procedure.

Discover the Benefits of Dental Implants with Dr. Eick

Whether you currently wear traditional dentures or you are considering a removable prosthesis as your tooth replacement solution of choice, we invite you to contact us today to learn more about your options. With decades of experience and a genuinely caring, patient-centric approach, Dr. William Eick is your trusted source for all restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry services in Rocky River, OH. Ask our team about implant-retained dentures, and find out if you are a good candidate for this effective, increasingly popular restorative solution to missing teeth. Our office is privileged to serve patients from throughout Rocky River, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Cleveland, Westlake, and beyond.

Cracked teeth, also known as tooth fractures, may range from painless, minor chips in enamel to serious cracks that compromise the root and the viability of the tooth as a whole. At William L. Eick, DDS in Rocky River, OH, Dr. Eick and his experienced team offer an extensive selection of restorative dentistry solutions, including diagnosis and treatment of cracked teeth. Today, we’d like to address and explain some of the most common causes, complications, and treatment options for tooth fractures.

Repairing Cracked Teeth in Rocky River, OH

The type of repair needed for a cracked tooth is contingent upon the cause of the injury, the location of the fracture, and the depth to which it extends toward the root. Some of the most common causes of cracked teeth include:

Teeth grinding or clenching; this places an excessive amount of force on the teeth

Biting down on something hard, including ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, hard candies, and non-food items like pens or product packaging

Trauma to the mouth or lower jaw

Large or ill-fitting fillings that weaken enamel

Sudden, extreme changes in temperature within the mouth

Advanced periodontal disease; bone loss within the jaw can compromise structural integrity of the teeth

If a portion of your tooth breaks off and you are able to locate it, use a sterile saline solution or clean water to gently clear it of any debris and place it in a container of milk until you can reach our office. As a general rule of thumb, always wear an athletic mouthguard when participating in sports, and never use your teeth as tools to open packages or remove price tags from clothing. Though tooth enamel is the most highly mineralized substance in the human body, it is far from indestructible.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth that are left untreated may result in increased sensitivity, pain while chewing, and even the need for extraction. This is why acting promptly is such an integral component in successful treatment. A visual exam and x-rays are used to diagnose the type of crack in any tooth. Depending on the severity of the fracture, Dr. Eick may recommend one or more restorative solutions, including dental bonding, a filling, endodontic treatment, a crown, or dental veneers. Our team is always ready to discuss your restorative options with you to formulate a treatment plan that best suits your unique needs.

What to Do if You Have a Cracked Tooth

In many cases, a cracked tooth can be treated and saved before more serious, irreparable damage is sustained. If you notice a crack or chip in any of your teeth, no matter how small it may seem, please do not hesitate to contact our office immediately to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eick. From our comfortable, welcoming dental practice in Rocky River, OH, we happily serve patients from throughout nearby communities in Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Westlake, and the surrounding areas. Dr. Eick is genuinely committed to helping his patients and their families achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles with exceptional cosmetic and restorative dental care.

For most people, the phrase “root canal” is one they hope they’ll never hear at the dentist’s office. This common procedure has garnered quite the reputation, though the dreadful descriptions used in conjunction with root canal treatment are largely unfounded. At William L. Eick, DDS in Rocky River, OH, Dr. Eick and his team provide patients with a comprehensive selection of general dentistry solutions, including root canal therapy. Today, we’d like to delve a bit further into the nature of a root canal infection so as to better understand its treatment.

Common Signs of Root Canal Infections

What most patients term a “root canal” is actually a procedure known as endodontic therapy, or the treatment of an infection deep within the roots of a tooth. When the nerve-filled pulp inside a tooth becomes infected, it must be treated before the tooth itself begins to die. Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is not painful; it is the infection of the pulp and the associated inflammation that causes discomfort. When a root canal infection is treated in a timely manner, the tooth may be saved and fortified against future damage with the help of a custom crown.

In many cases, a patient may not actually experience any noticeable symptoms in the earliest stages of a root canal infection. As the infection is allowed to spread, however, the patient may experience tenderness when chewing and sensitivity to heat and/or cold. The tooth may even begin to darken from the inside, gradually turning dull gray in color. In some cases, an abscess may form, leading to potentially severe pain. Fortunately, removing the infected tissue and treating the resultant cavity can eliminate this persistent discomfort.

Preserve the Health of Your Smile

Ultimately, the only way to definitively diagnose a root canal infection is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eick and his experienced team in Rocky River, OH. If it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup, or if you are experiencing any kind of oral discomfort, please do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you find lasting relief from the discomfort associated with a root canal infection. Our warm, welcoming dental practice is privileged to serve communities in Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Cleveland, and beyond.

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